Only take a mobile phone if you are able to charge it and even then take small change in case you need to use a public telephone. Before you pack, be sure to write out a thorough checklist.

All camping equipment should be sturdy, avoid gimmicky gadgets they are often a waste of money and very unreliable. For example, multifunction pen knifes sound good but what’s the point of a bottle opener if you’re never going to use it.

If your camping trip involves cooking in the great outdoors, invest in easy to assemble and compact cookware. Take a stove that is easy to light and a tin opener that won’t let you down. Don’t forget cutlery, you might be able to improvise, but it’s easier not to.

Although a compass seems straightforward, if you have no sense of directions it’s useless. Potentially its misuse can cause more problems than not having it at all.

Reading maps is also a skill that does come naturally to some people. Take advice or make sure someone in your camping group is competent.